|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:20:37 GMT
If you have guests to your home, what do you have that is entertaining for them? (not overnight, just an afternoon/evening). We have a deck, grill, and have hosted cookouts, but we don't have a fire pit, pool or trampoline, much to the chagrin of my kids, because apparently EVERYONE has those mom and dad! (Said with dripping sarcasm, cause we're not getting either nor do we care that we have neither, they are both too much work/concern/worry for me to consider.).
So if you don't have a pool or fire pit to gather in the back yard or what have you, but do have a deck, what kind of thing do you do /have to make your deck/outdoor yard more entertaining/more inviting? I would like to have some friends over and was thinking what can we do to make it more of a nice place for them to visit.
Would it be comfy furniture on the deck? Some sort of lighting? Making sure the bar is stocked well? Something else I haven't thought of? So this would be adults. Teens instead of bar would be soda/water/juice/snacks of course.
For teens gathering - since we don't have the pool or trampoline, we were considering a basketball hoop and putting up volleyball nets for when they come since they seem to like that kind of stuff. Other than that, anything that makes it an inviting home? Inside or out but mostly out in the summer but at some point they'll likely come inside.
Been cruising Pinterest for ideas but wondered if anyone had some good ideas that they had done recently or they had done in the past or seen at a friends home that they were like, yes that's a great idea etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by coffeetalk on Jul 7, 2016 15:27:16 GMT
In addition to the BB hoop and volleyball net, we also had a corn hole (bag) set which all ages enjoyed playing.
|
|
|
|
Post by femalebusiness on Jul 7, 2016 15:27:46 GMT
Croquet, horseshoes or badminton are easy to set up. Croquet is the easiest and enought like miniature golf that kids and adults like it.
|
|
|
|
Post by shescrafty on Jul 7, 2016 15:27:53 GMT
We have comfy furniture and something that you don't want apparently – a fire pit. 😘
Ours is actually a fire table that is propane run. It has glass beads inside and when you are not using it you can put a lid on the fire pit part and it is just a large table. We like it because it gives two areas for guests to congregate – one on the deck and one on the patio. The fire table has just a push button ignition and there is nothing to remove when it is done so it just adds a nice area. It sits on top of the patio there is nothing dug into the ground
We had a small party a few weeks ago for and. It was nice because the adults were all on the deck and then the teenagers use the fire table as a regular table and sat there to eat. Worked out well for us!
|
|
kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,517 
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Jul 7, 2016 15:28:02 GMT
Badminton is old-fashioned fun - and wild shots are less damaging to people and property than wild shots of a volleyball. Comfy, plentiful furniture is important, too.  |
|
|
|
Post by scrapcat on Jul 7, 2016 15:29:56 GMT
No kids, so no need to entertain besides comfort and food/drinks. But I have 3 different seating areas, one is around a firepit, but not a permanent one, just a metal one from the hardware store. Hoping to build a permanent one some day.
We just have a nice garden, flower beds, lots of potted plants, edison bulb lights strung between house & pergola. Everyone just likes it because its pretty & peaceful.
Not sure of your area, but a hummingbird feeder in view is fun to watch them visit.
You can easily make a large jenga game using wood blocks, or get some of those big dice for kids to play?
eta: torches!
|
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:31:25 GMT
In addition to the BB hoop and volleyball net, we also had a corn hole (bag) set which all ages enjoyed playing. Ooh! Didn't think of cornhole, good idea! |
|
Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,834
Location: NW PA
|
Post by Judy26 on Jul 7, 2016 15:32:29 GMT
Bocce and yard Yahtzee are both fun.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 3:11:12 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2016 15:32:31 GMT
Frisby golf? We bought our kids a set at 5 Below and it's been a huge hit with them. We also like to roast marshmallows on the grill for s'mores.
|
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:32:46 GMT
Croquet, horseshoes or badminton are easy to set up. Croquet is the easiest and enought like miniature golf that kids and adults like it. Oh also good ideas! I wasn't thinking of games but these are stuff that I know my kids and our friends like/have played before. Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:33:39 GMT
Bocce and yard Yahtzee are both fun. Oh we have bocce I think - we've played at beach as a kid but forgot it's really a yard game, so check. Haven't heard of yard Yahtzee, will have to search for that, but sounds fun! |
|
MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,539
|
Post by MerryMom on Jul 7, 2016 15:35:10 GMT
Kan Jam
For a temporary fire pit, you can also buy a couple of square pavers on the ground to protect your grass, put a metal oil change pan on top of the pavers. Add your firewood. Voila temporary fire pit
|
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:35:46 GMT
Frisby golf? We bought our kids a set at 5 Below and it's been a huge hit with them. We also like to roast marshmallows on the grill for s'mores. Another good game. We have frisbees but not the things they throw into but I think the kids could DIY those for the yard, we have enough room for sure. Didn't thnk of roasting mallows on the grill, nice idea since we don't have the fire pit, nice outside the box idea, I know the kids would love. Oh you all have great ideas, thank you I was so stumped, I have such a nice list running. |
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:39:03 GMT
No kids, so no need to entertain besides comfort and food/drinks. But I have 3 different seating areas, one is around a firepit, but not a permanent one, just a metal one from the hardware store. Hoping to build a permanent one some day. We just have a nice garden, flower beds, lots of potted plants, edison bulb lights strung between house & pergola. Everyone just likes it because its pretty & peaceful. Not sure of your area, but a hummingbird feeder in view is fun to watch them visit. You can easily make a large jenga game using wood blocks, or get some of those big dice for kids to play? eta: torches! Oooh love the large Jenga and dice idea - we just got done with a front steps project and have a bunch of extra wood will have to see if I can convince DH to let me put aside some to make that! I am late with the garden this year, but I plan on getting some plants for the deck to make it look more inviting. I love the idea of a pergola but that might be a next summer project, I'm afraid but I do love the look of those! |
|
|
|
Post by kristi on Jul 7, 2016 15:39:08 GMT
We have water guns & balloons - bought for the teens but the adults always seem to get in on the fun!
-large wooden outdoor Jenga
-music/speakers
|
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Jul 7, 2016 15:40:08 GMT
Music
Lighting
Food, drinks
We love our firepit, but it is only used with has adult supervision
|
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Jul 7, 2016 15:40:23 GMT
Cornhole was a huge hit at DS' grad party. Also, a volleyball net is nice if you have room because they will play volleyball or badminton with it. Just have to be sure the ball isn't going to hit other guests.
|
|
|
|
Post by bc2ca on Jul 7, 2016 15:40:25 GMT
We have had badminton, croquet, bocce & ladder ball. Badminton & croquet were abandoned quickly but bocce and ladder ball have been well used and loved by all age groups for years.
|
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:42:31 GMT
Can Jam For a temporary fire pit, you can also buy a couple of square pavers on the ground to protect your grass, put a metal oil change pan on top of the pavers. Add your firewood. Voila temporary fire pit had to Google Can jam, had no idea it existed, will add to the fun game list and another thing we can do with the frisbees we have along with the golf! Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:46:14 GMT
We have water guns & balloons - bought for the teens but the adults always seem to get in on the fun! -large wooden outdoor Jenga -music/speakers Ha ha yeah DS wants me to get that water balloon thing he saw that fills a dozen or so of them all at once, I was thinking on a hot day that might be fun, thanks for idea since we don't have pool it's at leaast something that can be done with water - especailly DS and his friends but I can see DD and her friends as well, half of them are boys anyway and would enjoy stuff like that I think. Oh the music/speakers, thanks for that reminder, I have to look into some outdoor speakers DD was telling me about she saw at a friends house that would be good since we just have the tiny ihome ones for our ipod/phones we would need something like that for sure. I need to check with neighbors and see what time I need to turn stuff down I think 10 is the ordinance but guessing the ones with babies might want/need it turned down a bit before that. |
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:47:59 GMT
We have had badminton, croquet, bocce & ladder ball. Badminton & croquet were abandoned quickly but bocce and ladder ball have been well used and loved by all age groups for years. Oh I forgot about badminton we have about 15 raquets in the basement before we had a net but it got tangled putting it away so we didn't take it out the last year or so, but I might put that out anyway - but will keep the bocce in mind since we have that - I don't know what ladder ball is but will add that to my list. |
|
|
|
Post by SockMonkey on Jul 7, 2016 15:48:02 GMT
Bags and/or badminton set!
|
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:49:46 GMT
Cornhole was a huge hit at DS' grad party. Also, a volleyball net is nice if you have room because they will play volleyball or badminton with it. Just have to be sure the ball isn't going to hit other guests. Thanks I think all of those sound like great games - our badminton net is a goner but I think we still have a volleyball net or can get a new one, they never seem to do well when they're put away apparently in this house so need to figure out what to do about that - but that will give 2 options there, thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:51:51 GMT
Bags and/or badminton set! Thank you, it's funny because a friend of mine and I get giddy laughing about the name cornhole, had always called it beanbag toss so hearing you call it bags made me realize I wasn't alone in that's what we called it! |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 3:11:12 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2016 15:56:32 GMT
Another vote for Can Jam. My kids love it and it keeps everyone busy!
|
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 15:59:25 GMT
Badminton is old-fashioned fun - and wild shots are less damaging to people and property than wild shots of a volleyball. Comfy, plentiful furniture is important, too. That's true about the badminton vs volleyball - I don't want to think about drinks going wild or noses etc. ha ha! May stick to badminton then! Plentiful furniture, that's something I have to deal with, we don't have a lot so if DD has a lot of friends over they're going to want to sit so I've got to address that probably more than anything and didn't even think of having more seating options until you said it, thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 7, 2016 16:09:16 GMT
Thank you, I've got quite a list going - ! I'm feeling better already Here's the list I have: Games: BB hoop Volleyball/badminton net Cornhole/beanbag toss Croquet Horseshoes Large Jenga Bocce Yard Yahtzee/Dice Frisbee Golf Frisbee/Can Jam Water balloons/water guns Ladder ball Multiple seating areas – plentiful/comfy Plants Lighting strung Outdoor speakers Food/drinks Grill – marshmallows for smores |
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Jul 7, 2016 16:12:24 GMT
I will second (or third) corn hole, bocce ball, ladder golf/ball, croquet, and badminton since you mentioned already have a bunch of racquets. Between us and the neighbors, we have most of those and they help to keep people entertained. We've also done water balloons, squirt guns, slip n slide, and s'mores. I've also seen a Twister game board spray painted onto the grass at the ice cream place.
A fun twist on s'mores is to put mini marshmallows and chocolate chips into a sugar cone, wrap the whole thing in foil and put it on the grill for a few minutes. Unwrap and enjoy the chocolatey marshmallow goodness with a lot less mess, and no worries about burning the marshmallows either!
As for music, we got a small water resistant rechargeable Bluetooth speaker for our lake place. I want to say it was under about $60 at Costco but it has HUGE sound. It's nice to be able to take it with us when we want to go on the pontoon swimming or out fishing and not worry if it gets splashed. It's an Ecostone by Ecoxgear and it works great.
ETA: You could also get some of those water resistant picnic blankets for the kids to sit on in the grass for additional temporary seating that doesn't cost a lot and takes up very little room to store.
|
|
|
|
Post by holly on Jul 7, 2016 16:23:53 GMT
Costco carries a propane portable fire put for $100. It's awesome, no need for wood and doesn't make you smell like camp fire. Here in the Pacific Northwest it gets cool when the sun starts to go down (even in the summer) so it's nice to sit around a fire to keep warm. I think if it was cold out I wouldn't want to hang around too long hanging around chatting it up in the backyard. Kids like the games to keep occupied. They bore easily or they move on to the next house. Just my experiences. |
|
|
|
Post by cmpeter on Jul 7, 2016 16:39:02 GMT
Patio heaters! We use the heck out of ours.
|
|
